S&W Model 58-1 .41mag

What can you guys tell me about this make/model, I cant seem to find much info about it? LGS has a used one in the $700 range and wondering if its worth what their asking. Some details include a polished blue finish,original shipping case, no blueing wear/fired very little if at all, and of course the dreaded lock(newer model??). How is fit/finish/durability of these newer Smith's? Thanks for all the help

Don't know much about the newer 58s with locks. I wouldn't pay that much since I see older models selling for the mid $500.00 range.

calaverasslim

December 21, 2012, 05:45 PM

Buy all you can in the mid-500 range. Down here $700 is good to excellent condition is a fair price

budman46

December 21, 2012, 06:38 PM

in the mid '70's the mod 28 and 58 smiths were the two best buys in the market. when we came to our senses, their prices actually surpassed the upscale 27's and 57's.

i prefer the .41 mag to the .44 mag in the n-frame smith. there's a bit more meat left after boring the cylinder and the power is very close.

if you like the .41 mag, check out a 4" 57 or 657. the adjustable sights are a big plus.

SwampWolf

December 21, 2012, 07:35 PM

if you like the .41 mag, check out a 4" 57 or 657. the adjustable sights are a big plus.

True, and I agree. But, to me, there is something subjectively "cool" about the "looks" of a big N-frame Smith revolver, sans adjustable sights, intended to be carried in a policeman's holster. There just is. :cool:

orionengnr

December 21, 2012, 08:02 PM

--If you are a handloader, there is a lot to like about the .41 Mag cartridge.
--If you are not, ammo selection can be somewhat sparse and a bit pricey.
--If the ILS doesn't bother you (and it can be easily removed) the price sounds fair....certainly compared to a new one.

I have a friend who shoots quite well with his M64. I have never spent much time shooting with the minimalist "fixed sights" so I prefer the full adjustable sights of my 4" M57. I had a 6" M57 but like a dummy, sold it.

BP44

December 21, 2012, 08:08 PM

--If you are a handloader, there is a lot to like about the .41 Mag cartridge.
--If you are not, ammo selection can be somewhat sparse and a bit pricey.
--If the ILS doesn't bother you (and it can be easily removed) the price sounds fair....certainly compared to a new one.

I have a friend who shoots quite well with his M64. I have never spent much time shooting with the minimalist "fixed sights" so I prefer the full adjustable sights of my 4" M57. I had a 6" M57 but like a dummy, sold it.
I agree completely with your post but the darn lock hole looks terrible to me.

highpower

December 22, 2012, 12:02 AM

How is fit/finish/durability of these newer Smith's? Thanks for all the help

I have a 629-4 made in 1996. It has been used to shoot silhouettes for years and is still as tight as new and shoots better than I do.

I think it looks good with the traditional target stocks.
http://highpower.smugmug.com/Firearms/Smith/i-QqcHFMS/0/XL/IMG_1738-XL.jpg

I just put a '78 vintage M57 on layaway, can't wait to start shooting .41 mags.

bannockburn

December 22, 2012, 06:15 AM

I guess I have always had this thing for certain calibers and the road less traveled.

Years ago I had both a Model 57 and a Model 58. The Model 57 had an action job done to it that gave it one of slickest DA triggers I have ever found on a revolver. It also had one of the nicest polished blue factory finishes on it. With its 4" barrel it was quite the looker.

On the other hand, I really liked the "all business" look of the big N frame Model 58 with its heavy barrel, fixed sights, and matte blue finish. Both were truly great .41 Mag revolvers.

Lucky Derby

December 22, 2012, 07:10 AM

Model 10 on steriods. Whats not to like?

336A

December 22, 2012, 08:47 AM

As long asI could afford it I would snatch that up in heart beat. I've got no idea how good or bad the new 58's are, but I haven't heard a cross word spoken about one yet. I have a original M58 that belonged to my late father, it was his duty weapon. From what I hear the new 58's are regulated to shoot point of aim with full power 210gr ammo, where as the originals were regulated for the old police load that pushed a 210gr LSWC bullet along around 950fps.

I alwys wondered why my dad just didnt get the M57, however those fixed sights sure do grow on you. I found that roughly 8.0gr Unique will roughly duplicate the old Police Load with a 210gr SWC. I benched it with that load at 25yd one day shooting off of sand bags, it's scary accurate.

budman46

December 23, 2012, 01:18 PM

swampwolf,
58's are cool; lucky derby said it before i could...m10 on steroids.

rikman

December 23, 2012, 11:02 PM

Thats a good price vs a NIB which around here is almost $1k. I got a Model 57 last year, trade a bunch of tupperware pistols, but, I reload, factory ammo is crazy expensive, about $60 plus at my LGS if they have it.

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae133/FLYFIDO/57.jpg

donniesr1

December 27, 2012, 02:01 PM

love my 58 . very fortunate to have this one.

PabloJ

December 27, 2012, 02:10 PM

Mods. 57 and 58 in very good shape are $900+/-100 items. If person who sees them for $500 pinched his/her nose very hard they would feel NO pain ie they had a pleasant dream.

Iggy

December 27, 2012, 02:16 PM

I carried this ol 58 as a duty sidearm for 13 years.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/Iggy25/Obsidian.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/Iggy25/Mdl58.jpg
I picked up a 6" and a 4" 57 in the last couple of years but sold them both.
I snared the two 57s in the $550 range and sold them in the $875 vicinity.
I haven't seen a 58 for sale in years and years.

336A,
I used a hot 210 grain JHP for LE purposes, it was accurate and did exactly what it was designed to do.

bannockburn

December 27, 2012, 05:38 PM

Iggy

I love those grips on your Model 58. Where did you get them at?

Iggy

December 27, 2012, 07:50 PM

I made them back in 1967. I couldn't afford S&W targets on a cop's salary back then.

Used a borrowed set of targets for a pattern and whittled off the corners of a block of wood until it fit.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/Iggy25/TargetPC.jpg

Since then, I done some modifications to boogered up targets to get much the same thing.

Drail

December 27, 2012, 08:25 PM

I have been shooting a Model 57 from 1975 for many years and if I had to replace it I would search out an old one. The price of the new repros is absurd and what they will sell you is a real crapshoot as far as build quality. The old ones are worth every penny you pay for one.

I have almost purchased the snubbie performance center 41 mag snub... then I came to my senses. $1000+ was not a comfortable expenditure at the time. It would have been a novelty for me, but would fit nicely with my other M57's. But my only use for it would be a woods carry gun and the 4" M57 works nicely for that.

I think the pricing on the M58 Classic is about right. If I were interested in one, I'd buy it.

X-15... I have one that fit my 6" Python nicely. I'll trade it for some greenbacks. Not sure where it is now, but I could probably find it. It is essentially brand new. Would have to check the fit on a M57/M29.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/rkba2da/pistol%20pics/Model%2057/M57pocketcarry.jpg
That only works if you live in "Gods Country" ie "Heaven on Earth" where wealthy European-Americans reside and crime rate is next to zero. Examples are Manchester VT, Jackson Hole Wyoming,......Just a suggestion, but for all over Va one would needs Gen III G29sf or Gen IV G29 in Blade Tech 'Partial Eclipse' holster.

Drail

December 28, 2012, 12:42 PM

Deaf Smith, have you ever fired one of those? I have. It's kinda sporty. A buddy had one for a while and it was the one gun at the range that just about every person that wanted to shoot it (and everybody did!) would fire it one time and then freak out when they saw what the cyl. release had just done to their thumb. (we warned them about that thumb, yes we did). We used a lot of Band-aids and ice. It was the absolute worst kicking N frame I have ever seen. Almost no one wanted to shoot it more than one time. I loved it. I shot it a lot. We both were rabid .41 mag handloaders and were always coming up with "the load" and trying it in that .41 snub. You just have to know what you're getting into and be ready for it. Elmer knew exactly what he was talking about.

Deaf Smith

December 28, 2012, 11:51 PM

Deaf Smith, have you ever fired one of those?
In one of my CHL classes a guy used a 3 inch Lew Horten .41 to qualify with. Used Silvertip Winchester .41s to!

He did quite fine on the qualification and he let me shoot his. Yes kicked a bit but not as bad as my 629 'Backpacker' .44 3 inch snub.